Alberta is now the leading jurisdiction per capita in North America for measles. The province has more measles cases than the United States, with 1,314 cases since March. This surpasses the 1,288 cases in 39 states south of the border.
Thirty new cases were diagnosed in Alberta this past weekend, July 12-13.
Measles is highly contagious, with one infected person capable of spreading it to 18 people who may be unvaccinated. It spreads quickly through the air.
This is even worse than the original COVID-19 strain, which had an infection rate of two to three people.
Alberta has just below five million residents, while the United States has more than 341 million people.
While Canada said it had eradicated measles in 1998 and the States in 2000, the comeback of the disease, with its characteristic red rash, is happening at a time of declining vaccination rates.
As of last year, 68.1 per cent of two-year-old Albertans were up to date with two doses of the measles vaccine.
Immunologists are concerned that with vaccination rates declining for other children’s illnesses, there could be a return of diseases like polio and other illnesses not seen in Canada since the 1950s and 60s.
While three people and two children have died in the States, there have been no deaths in Alberta to date. Health experts remain concerned about the spread of measles at large public events.
If you think you may have measles or want to be tested, do not go to a clinic, health care facility, or hospital in person. Call first.
For details on immunization clinics, Albertans may call 1-844-944-3434, and in Saskatchewan, call the Healthline at 811.
More immunization information is available on provincial websites in Alberta and Saskatchewan.
